Western Mass. individual wrestling championships set for the weekend

Central's Daniel Salgado is expected to do well at Saturday's Western Mass. Division I individual wrestling championships at Central. (Republican file photo.)

Daniel Salgado has a tattoo etched on his right arm.

"Love me, don't hate me. I am a child of God and God made me what I am today,'' reads the tattoo.

Salgado's commitment to excellence, dedication to the sport and his faith have made him a champion. He is the reigning Western Massachusetts champion at 112 pounds and he will attempt to make it two straight Saturday at the sectional individuals Saturday at Central High School.

Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m. The semifinals will begin around 2 p.m. and the finals start at 7 p.m.

The Western Mass. Division III individuals are a two-day affair. They take place Friday starting at 3 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Mount Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown.

A four-year standout at Central High School, Salgado is ranked No. 1 in the state at 112. He won't take anything for granted.

"Our coaches tell us every match is a fight,'' Salgado said. "I'm a fighter and I don't like to lose.''

He credits his father, Daniel Salgado, Sr. for helping mold him into the top wrestler he is today.

"He's always there for me,'' the younger Salgado said. "He gets up early to make sure my sweats are ready.''

Teammate Bemnet Banks is also ranked No. 1 in the state. He'll be tough to beat at 152.

"We have a number of kids who could do well,'' Central coach Darby McLaughlin said.

After beating Franklin, 40-20 Wednesday in a state Division I semifinal, the Golden Eagles had only two days to prepare for the individuals.

East Longmeadow's Kyle Humphries is 27-0 this season with 23 pins and first place finishes in all his tournaments at 189. He's ranked second in the state and he has led the Spartans to one of their best wrestling seasons in school history.

"We have a chance for the first time in many years of placing a lot of kids in the top five in their weight classes,'' East Longmeadow coach Steve Graham said.

Longmeadow's Gary Shea left the Early Bird Tournament on a stretcher. He's suffered a bruised sternum that sidelined him for several weeks, but he's ready to compete for a title at 145.

West Springfield's Ilii Cojocaru is the wrestler to beat at 171, while teammate Vinnie Guiel along with Agawam's Pat Hope and Central's Carlos Rosario are contendesr at heavyweight.